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Rose Publications (The Rose Ensemble)
Peace and Joy
Mt. Lebanon Shaker Society
A sweet, buoyant Shaker hymn.
S solo ad lib., SSA, fiddle, guitar, string bass
With its country-waltz setting and themes of stewardship and community, this optimistic piece positively bursts with joy. The score contains source information, historical context, editorial notes, and performance suggestions.
Composer’s Notes
To avoid religious persecution, the Society of Believers, more commonly known as the Shakers, began immigrating to America from England as early as 1774. Frederick William Evans (1808-93), reformer, editor, and Shaker elder, was born in Leominster, England. Having been influenced by the Owenites and a group of freethinkers and reformers in England, he sailed to the United States in 1820 where with his brother he edited several publications devoted to radical reform. After visiting a Shaker community in Lebanon, NY, he became a member and spent 57 of his last 63 years with the community as an elder. A born leader and natural orator, he became one of the nation’s most influential Shaker leaders and published much on this topic, including the collection hymns in which several of our Shaker hymns are found, Shaker Music: Inspirational Hymns and Melodies Illustrative of the Resurrection Life and Testimony of the Shakers.
Hymns in this collection are attributed only to particular Shaker communities—Mt. Lebanon and Groveland, New York; Enfield, Connecticut; etc.
Text
1. Awake, for the angels are gath’ring near,
Whispering peace and joy,
Gathering near Christ-blessing to bring;
Let nothing that boon destroy.
Happy are they who gather these gifts,
Fresh from the heav’ns the soul to uplift.
2. Oh, then let us gain ev’ry Christian grace,
Whate’er the toil and strife,
Thus forming here a household of faith,
The fruit of the virgin life.
Let us sing with the angels in glad accord,
Peace and joy are the gifts of the Lord.
-Mt. Lebanon Shaker Society
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